Reducing risk

How do I protect myself and my family?

The best way to protect yourself and your family is to pay attention to good hand and respiratory hygiene.

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with a tissue, or cough into your elbow, dispose of the tissue into a bin and then wash your hands afterwards.
• Wash your hands regularly, after using the toilet and before eating.
• Avoid touching your face as much as possible and don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
• As much as possible try to avoid contact with people who are unwell.

If you have concerns about your health, please see your doctor.

Healthcare workers are advised to use appropriate infection prevention control measures when looking after patients.

Do I need to wear a face mask?

All patients/visitors/carers presenting to The Alfred, Sandringham and Caulfield campuses must wear a wear surgical mask. The mask will be provided by Alfred Health.

From 23 November 2020, the following mask wearing rules apply for the general public:

• Face masks are no longer required when you are outdoors and where it is possible to stay more than 1.5 metres away from people.  
• Face masks must be worn if you are unable to stay further than 1.5 metres away from people not in your household - for example in a public park, an outdoor market or in public walkways and thoroughfares.  
• Face masks must be worn when indoors – for example, in shopping centres or at a hospital. 
• Face masks must be worn when on pubilc transport including at stations and stops (trains, trams, buses, taxis and ride share services).

Further information about mask wearing requirements may be found on the Department of Health and Human Services page here.

What is physical distancing and self isolation?

Physical, or social distancing, is another way of reducing your risk of infection from COVID-19.

The most important of these measures is ensuring a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and those around you. This, coupled with measures like avoiding hugs, handshakes and kisses as greetings, is also part of physical distancing.

The next step from physical distancing, especially important if you have returned overseas, is self-isolating at home (or in a hotel) for the 14 days.

Self isolation is now a requirement for all people who arrived in Australia after 15 March 2020 or who think they've been in close contact with a confrimed case of coronavirus. Self isolation means you have to stay at home or in your hotel for a period of 14 days.

If this is you, it is recommended that you use personal transport, like traveling by car, to minimise your exposure and potential risk to others. If you are traveling by taxi or ride share, it is strongly encouraged that you sit in the back of the vehicle to maintain the distance of 1.5 metres from the driver.

During the 14 days of self isolation, you must not visit public places and only the people who you usually live with should be with you where you are isolating, this includes not receiving visitors and avoiding contact with staff if you are staying in a hotel or other paid accommodation.

More extensive information around the above is regularly updated and published on the Department of Health and Human Services website.

Where can I find current travel advice?

Check the Smart Traveller website for current travel restrictions and advice, particularly around international travel.

There are also restrictions about traveling to and from Victoria from other states. This includes South Australia.

From 11:59pm Thursday 19 November, a ‘hard border’ will be in place for 48 hours. Further information for people intending to travel between Victoria and South Australia may be found here.